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Wool Town Lavenham

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Crooked + Characterful

Suffolk Wool Towns

Suffolk’s unique wool towns are the country’s best-preserved collection of medieval market towns, with timber-framed, lime-washed, higgledy-piggledy houses in gently rolling pastureland that take you back to a time when East Anglia was the most prosperous part of the British Isles. Churches with soaring towers and magnificent stained-glass windows hint at the past prosperity of the textile trade. Wander market squares and narrow lanes, browse galleries, antiques and independent shops, then enjoy lunch in a traditional pub or take a gentle countryside walk. Centred around Lavenham, Bury St Edmunds, Clare, Long Melford and Kersey, the wool towns suit an unhurried pace, where the joy is in small discoveries.

960 640 Bury St Edmunds Abbey gate
Plan your stay in the Suffolk Wool Towns

All your questions about the Suffolk Wool Towns answered, plus advice on how to plan your trip and things to do.

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Map of Visit Suffolk

Top Attractions in Wool Towns

001 kentwell hall long melford
Attractions

Kentwell Hall

A timeless Manor House set in acres of stunning, family-friendly gardens and parkland, in the…

001 kentwell hall long melford
Attractions

Kentwell Hall

A timeless Manor House set in acres of stunning, family-friendly gardens and parkland, in the…

001 the crooked house

Suffolk's most photographed home, that inspired a world-famous nursery rhyme

001 the crooked house
Attractions

The Crooked House, Lavenham

Suffolk's most photographed home, that inspired a world-famous nursery rhyme

001 Cycle Breaks
Attractions

Cycle Breaks

Discover the very best of Suffolk on two wheels with this immersive, self-guided cycling adventure…

001 Cycle Breaks
Attractions

Cycle Breaks

Discover the very best of Suffolk on two wheels with this immersive, self-guided cycling adventure…

005 Eezybike electric bike hire Suffolk
Attractions

Eezybike

Explore Suffolk and the Suffolk Coast by E-Bike with EEZYBIKE

005 Eezybike electric bike hire Suffolk
Attractions

Eezybike

Explore Suffolk and the Suffolk Coast by E-Bike with EEZYBIKE

Businesses in Wool Towns

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Attractions

Melford Hall – National Trust

This romantic turreted brick mansion, home of the Hyde Parker family, features Regency, Georgian…

001 the old drift house kersey suffolk
Accommodation

The Old Drift House

Idyllic 'chocolate box' thatched cottage in the picturesque medieval village of Kersey with its…

005 Eezybike electric bike hire Suffolk
Attractions

Eezybike

Explore Suffolk and the Suffolk Coast by E-Bike with EEZYBIKE

Purton Green exterior 1
Accommodation

Purton Green

Arriving at this thatched and timbered building on foot, the centuries fall away. Inside the late…

001 the black lion hotel long melford
Accommodation

The Black Lion Hotel

Proud to have been voted Best Place to Stay in the East by The Sunday Times, we offer ten…

001 kentwell hall long melford
Attractions

Kentwell Hall

A timeless Manor House set in acres of stunning, family-friendly gardens and parkland, in the…

001 suffolk secrets
Accommodation

Suffolk Secrets

Self-Catering Suffolk Holiday Cottages from Suffolk Secrets.

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Accommodation

Stay In Suffolk

Stay In Suffolk - luxury self catering holiday accommodation throughout the Suffolk coastal region.

The Ancient House exterior
Accommodation

The Ancient House

Standing on a church green in the pretty Suffolk market town of Clare, the Ancient House is just as…

Stories & Inspiration from Wool Towns

1920 900 St Edmund statue Bury St Edmunds

Posted: 14th May 2026

On April 23 each year we celebrate Patron Saint St George. But until 1348 it was King Edmund of…

1920 900 St Edmund statue Bury St Edmunds
History + Heritage

Who was King Edmund, England’s first patron saint

Posted: 14th May 2026

On April 23 each year we celebrate Patron Saint St George. But until 1348 it was King Edmund of…

1920 900 Bury St Edmunds Abbey gate
Outdoors + Adventure

Which is the nicest part of Suffolk

Posted: 15th Mar 2026

Which is the nicest part of Suffolk? There's something for all tastes, including the Broads…

1920 900 Bury St Edmunds The Personal History of David Copperfield 1 JPEG
Arts + Culture

Where are movie and TV film locations in Suffolk

Posted: 10th Mar 2026

Suffolk has hosted its fair share of dramas, films and tv programmes over the years, not least…

Events in Wool Towns

Start Date

End Date

Stitched and woven landscape
Arts & Crafts

Stitched & Woven Landscapes

Date: 18th Aug - 18th Aug 2026

Kentwell through the ages
Family

Kentwell Through the Ages II

Date: 28th Aug - 31st Aug 2026

Autumn art experience
Arts & Crafts

Autumn Art Experience

Date: 7th Oct - 7th Oct 2026

Schools Tudor Days Michaelmas kentwell hall
Family

Schools’ Tudor Michaelmas

Date: 28th Sept - 28th Sept 2026

Winter landscapes textile workshop
Arts & Crafts

Winter Landscapes – Textile Workshop

Date: 1st Dec - 1st Dec 2026

Frame loom weaving workshop
Arts & Crafts

Frame Loom Weaving Workshop

Date: 23rd Jul - 23rd Jul 2026

Autumn textile workshop
Arts & Crafts

Autumn Landscapes – Textile Workshop

Date: 6th Oct - 6th Oct 2026

The three kings gold silk
Arts & Crafts

The Three Kings: Gold, Silk & Wonder

Date: 15th Dec - 15th Dec 2026

Itineraries in Wool Towns

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